Foundation Sets Up Wetzel County Fund

December 11, 2013

The Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley announced on Thursday the establishment of the Wetzel County Area Fund to provide grant-making support to nonprofit organizations in Wetzel County. The first gift to the Wetzel County Fund was received from the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $5,000.

The Wetzel County Area Fund is designed as a tool to help individuals and businesses realize the benefits of charitable giving in their community. All contributions to the Wetzel County Area Fund will go toward a long-term, sustainable fund. Both businesses and individuals can give to the fund. There is no minimum contribution required and each gift is tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

A unique component to the fund is the input requested from each donor. Once a gift is received, the individual or business donating the gift will be sent a survey which will help determine the needs of the county. All survey results will be compiled and used by the advisory committee to determine which nonprofit organizations in Wetzel County receive funding.

Article Photos

Pictured are Steve Hunt of the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce; Tulane Mensore of the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley Board; and Peter Riesbeck, Development Director for the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley.

Once a large enough pool of funds has been raised for the Wetzel County Area Fund, grant applications will be made available to nonprofit organizations in the county. It is anticipated grants will be made beginning in summer 2014. The goal of the Wetzel County Area Fund is to provide funding to non-profits in the county on an annual basis, thus strengthening the nonprofit organizations in the county.

"We are encouraging anyone who may want to contribute to the improvement of their home community to consider making a gift of any size to this fund," said Susie Nelson, executive director of the Community Foundation. "These funds will be a benefit to the county for many, many years if residents and businesses can come together to support them."

"Marcellus Shale is providing our region with new wealth never before imagined. It is important to consider how this new wealth can create a legacy that will last and continue to be a benefit to this region for years to come, even after this gas boom is over," continued Nelson.

Any individual or business may make a contribution to the Wetzel County Fund. "Giving to the Wetzel County Area Fund is fast and easy," said Peter Riesbeck, development director. "Simply go online to our website and use your credit or debit card. You can make a one-time gift or even set up recurring monthly deductions from your credit or checking account."

Riesbeck added that anyone can also make a gift by contacting him directly at 304-242-3144 or peter@cfov.org. "In the coming month, we plan to also contact as many people by mail as possible to educate them about the Wetzel County Fund and ways to give."